I breathe a sigh of relief and offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God for allowing me to selfishly spend two to three years on such an amazing task. For giving me the idea, the time here in New York, and the resources to follow through.
I realize that, unlike the post where I mentioned visiting these churches was "my quest," that what I have indeed been doing here is some kind of crazy two and a half year pilgrimage. A quest is an adventure where you go specifically seeking something, a goal, a treasure, something you know about before setting off. What I have accomplished here is so very very short of a quest, merely wandering about the city (nearly) blindly visiting houses of worship. And I have enjoyed it. Immensely.
I hope that post about "my quest" gets lost out there on the internet (amidst all the other trash, dirt and porn,) along with a few other self-indulgent posts I am guilty of writing. I intend, in the next few weeks to organize these postings, to make it easier for the church-goer, tourist or pilgrim to locate these churches easier by location, name and neighborhood. I plan on highlighting the facts about each church, and (hopefully) downplaying my often tedious whining and musings. I may even go back and add better photographs to some of the posts of churches I visited earlier on, as I've done with St. Paul the Apostle and St. Joseph (Chinatown).
If you attend any of these churches, or are privy to info about them and find that any of my information listed about them (Mass times, websites, phone numbers, etc.) are out of date, please let me know the new, true information so I can update.
Additionally, if there are any churches or chapels in Manhattan that I have missed, please let me know and I will make every effort to visit.
I'm certainly not done posting, I'm going to tool around with some organizational formats for awhile, and of course, there is always the reopening of St. Brigid Church to look forward to (I intend to visit there and hopefully post about it, #97!) Also, because this blog has dealt mainly with only Manhattan churches, I am making plans to visit one church from each of the other boroughs sometime soon.
So, my posting is not yet fully complete, but it is close, and eventually will wind down to a slow (if not altogether immobile) crawl.
Thank you for reading this, these posts, my shenanigans.
God bless you.
Just found your blog recently, its fantastic, going to read it all. Very inspiring; I just may do something similar in the future.
ReplyDeleteAndrew! You have done a great thing. I cannot tell you how many people I tell about this blog and how happy they are to know about it. Thank you so very much; I've enjoyed reading all your posts and look forward to future posting. I've also enjoyed reading about your trials, tribulations, and ruminations, and hope you are at peace with what you have accomplished here. You have done a service to many people.
ReplyDeleteGod bless YOU.
Just found your blog and am enjoying it a great deal. Both in that it brings back some memories of the few churches I attended when attending college in NYC years ago as well as reading your blogging.
ReplyDeleteYou're on a journey!
Great work, you should seek to publish a book as you have plenty to say that is worth reading.
Andrew, hope you are doing well.
ReplyDeleteI'm a writer for Busted Halo and just found your blog when googling mass times at St.Francis of Assisi (for whom my rescued dog is named) and found your blog. I am so excited to read about your pilgrimage and think it was an amazing idea for a blog that has actual value. This is awesome, thank you!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn J. Martone
Wow, I searched for NYC Catholic Churches and got beautiful pictures from 96 churches!! Breathtaking! I remember your post somewhere else last month or so while looking up another church in Manhattan. I think you may be doing this for the Lord! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteAndrew, hope you are well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this wonderful, rich and varied collection. You truly have been on pilgrimage.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Now onto Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx and Staten Island too!
ReplyDeletegood job
ReplyDeleteAndrew, this is such an inspried blog. I am reminded of how NYer Dorothy Day's column was called "On Pilgrimage" And, like you, Ascension under Rev. John P. Duffell was my favorite parish in Manhattan. Alas he is no longer there... Please note, though, that his name is spelled "Duffell" (not Duffel).
ReplyDeleteAm writing this in the days leading up to Christmas 2013 and will remember you in my Christmas prayers (up here in Westchester, where one of my favorite parishes is Sacred Heart Monastery in Yonkers.)
Andrew....dude, you rock. I just stumbled upon your blog and I love it. Please keep posting, you're fab.
ReplyDeleteAwesome work, Andrew. Thank you for sharing your pilgrimage.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, Daisy the dog's Person
I am a researcher, and your blog has become a very useful resource for me. I would like to know: How did you find all of these churches in the first place? Did you use the yellow pages or another directory?
ReplyDelete